Get our kids playing hockey again at Cantiague Park Ice rink

Nassau County Hockey is comprised of nine travel teams and numerous recreational league teams serving several hundred Nassau County children ranging in age from 6 to 17 years old. More importantly, we are a group of families – all Nassau County residents and taxpayers – who have a second home at Cantiague Park ice rink.In June it was announced by the New York Islanders and Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano that a “public-private partnership to enhance the Cantiague Park Ice Facility” would make it the Islanders official practice location and business offices. In the press release, New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow said “Cantiague Park Ice Facility will become one of the premiere skating facilities in the area.” On August 31, Newsday reported that Islanders owner Charles Wang won a bid to take over the bankrupt Twin Rinks ice-skating facility in Nassau's Eisenhower Park. The article included quotes from Mr. Wang and Mr. Mangano mentioned Cantiague as the second choice.What might have been the Islanders and County’s second choice has always been our, the members and families of the Nassau County Hockey program, first choice. In response to the June announcement the facility at Cantiague has been under construction and the entire Nassau county hockey organization has lost ice time and the ability to properly prepare for the upcoming season.We the undersigned, all Nassau county residents and taxpayers, have paid fees to both the Nassau County Treasury and Friends of Nassau County Parks with the expectation that renovations would be completed in a timely fashion and allow our children to get back on the Cantiague ice where they belong.So, we are asking Nassau County Executive Mangano, acting Parks Commissioner Brian Nugent and the Nassau County Legislature to:· Provide a full outline of the current status of the renovations of the Cantiague Park ice rink directly to the families of the Nassau County Hockey program.· Publicly announce a projected completion date for Cantiague rink renovations.· If delays occur beyond that date, to communicate directly to the families of the Nassau County Hockey program· Outline contingency plans for the families of the Nassau County Hockey that provide consistency in schedule and equivalent ice time commitments.